Chapter 20

Yay, it's longer this time! :D It's finally getting into the depths of the story (I know, 20 chapters in? XP) Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing, please remember to review! :)

Bubblewing's heart pounded louder and louder as they neared the WindClan border. When they finally crossed it, she inhaled deeply, taking in all the scents of Coyotefur's Clan.

Her ears perked when she picked up his scent. It was semi-fresh. However, she didn't want to seem too eager, especially with Dreamstar around, so she didn't look behind every rock or sniff every leaf she came across to hunt him down.

A few moments later, however, her excuse came.

"Sorry but…I have to go make dirt," Doubletooth stated sheepishly. Dreamstar nodded, and the other warrior jumped away to find a tree.

"Oh! So do I," Bubblewing added hurriedly, leaping away without waiting for an answer. She ran in the direction of his scent, but stopped when she realized she was probably running straight into their camp.

The she-cat jumped behind a tree, wondering how she could find him now.

As she looked behind the tree, her eyes widened. She wasn't supposed to find him, he was supposed to find her.

"Coyotefur," she whispered, "come."

Her eyes darted around, excitement building inside of her. It suddenly seemed really quiet. Until she heard breathing beside her.

Bubblewing looked down at her friend. "Coyotefur!"

"I've come to your call, master," he whispered, licking her fur gently. She purred in response, though she wasn't really used to being called master.

"I'm here because of RiverClan's new leader, Dreamstar," Bubblewing meowed.

Coyotefur's eyes narrowed. "He's the one that hates me."

Bubblewing giggled. "Unfortunately, yes."

"And you're his new deputy?"

Bubblewing nodded happily. Coyotefur smiled. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." She stood up. "Want to come back to others with me? I'll say I met you out of pure coincidence."

Coyotefur mrrowed in amusement. "Because they'll believe that."

Bubblewing shrugged, smirking. "They have no evidence against it, do they?"

The tom laughed again and caught up with the RiverClan deputy. Together they went back to Bubblewing's group.

"Finally, you're back!" Ribbonpaw exclaimed when he saw his mentor. But his tail flicked in annoyance when he noticed Coyotefur. "What's he doing here?"

"Yes," Dreamstar stepped in, "what is he doing here?"

"I thought I smelled some RiverClan, so I wandered over to see who and why that might be so," Coyotefur explained smoothly.

Dreamstar still glared at him. "Mm-hmm."

Bubblewing rolled her eyes. "At least now we can go straight in to talk to Cranestar," she meowed matter-of-factly.

Coyotefur smiled politely. "Yes. Step right this way." He turned and started off towards the WindClan camp. "And by the way," he meowed as they padded through the territory, "I'm very sorry to hear about Sapphirestar – Sapphirestone now, am I correct? I hope she's doing well."

"She's fine," Dreamstar growled.

"Boy," Ribbonpaw whispered to Bubblewing, "Dreamstar sure does hate this guy!"

Bubblewing giggled a little in response. "Yeah…and it's really annoying."

After a little while, the group of cats arrived at the WindClan camp. Coyotefur asked Dragonheart to get Cranestar, but soon the whole camp was crowded around the area, listening intently.

"Wow," mumbled Doubletooth. "The other Clans listened in discreetly – these cats aren't afraid to join in!"

Bubblewing shook her head, smiling. No, he isn't…

Dreamstar and Bubblewing launched into their story of Sapphirestone's injury, and what they discovered with the Twolegs and the strange animals. Cranestar was alarmed, but ready to help at any time.

The RiverClan cats stood and shook their pelts off. Bubblewing frowned; she didn't want to leave Coyotefur yet. He smiled and winked at her.

"I'll escort you out!" he offered excitedly. Dreamstar was about to protest, Bubblewing was sure, but he didn't want to be rude, and accepted.

Coyotefur and Bubblewing hung at the back of the group, both happy in the other's presence. As they walked, Coyotefur murmured, "Come out tonight."

Bubblewing was excited all over again. She nodded and swiped her tongue over his ear quickly.

Bubblewing lay awake that night, waiting until she knew every cat would be asleep. When she no longer heard whispers or movement outside, she got to her feet quietly and darted out of the camp. Even when she got to the forest, she tried her best not to make a sound.

"Bubblewing!"

Her head turned toward the source of the stifled call. Coyotefur sat, purring, at the base of a tree. Bubblewing ran over to him and purred with him. He swiped his tongue across her fur, and she buried her face in his velvety smooth chest fur.

"It's so hard not being able to see you," she meowed.

"I know. I miss you all the time…" He chuckled. "To think the first time we met was me saving you from…an eagle, was it?"

Bubblewing smiled. "The most charming young cat."

Coyotefur flopped onto his side, and Bubblewing rested her head on his stomach. They talked for quite a while. Then Coyotefur started feeling playful.

He flipped Bubblewing onto her back, pinning her down. She was confused at first, but was quickly amused. He licked her fur delicately, and she purred ever louder, twining her tail with his.

"I love you," they both murmured softly in unison.

A rustle of leaves, the crack of twigs. The two young cats' heads snapped to the direction of the sound. Two figures with familiar scents to Bubblewing loomed in the bushes. Her heart pounded loudly and harshly against her rib cage.

"Well. Bubblewing and young Coyotefur from WindClan." The voice was calm and yet angered. The other voice whimpered.

"B-Beartooth…Badgerface…" Bubblewing stammered.

"I suppose I don't have to ask," Beartooth meowed, stepping out from the shadows. Not that it made much of a difference in the dark cover of the trees. "Badgerface woke up and noticed you were gone, and asked me to help him look for you."

Coyotefur stepped off of Bubblewing. He looked at her apologetically.

"I'm afraid I'll have to make this…public in the morning, Bubblewing. You," he turned his attention to Coyotefur, "get out of here."

With another loving look at Bubblewing, the handsome tom dashed away.

"…Beartooth…" Bubblewing mewed. He didn't answer. Badgerface avoided her gaze, as well.

Her lip trembled. As of sunrise, her life was ruined.

Gasp! :O Hope ya liked it, despite Bubblewing's life being ruined XD Thanks for reading, please review!